Permit and Utility Coordinator

Metra; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,986 - 121,479; Full time

Job summary

Metra is seeking a Permit and Utility Coordinator to plan, coordinate, and oversee all permitting and underground utility coordination for capital construction projects in the Chicago area. You will minimize schedule risks by managing permit approvals and coordinating with utilities and design teams through complex regulatory processes.

The role requires four years in engineering/permits, strong MS365 skills, and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, or related field or four years in permitting/utility coordination or project administration.
• Minimum of four years in engineering, architectural or permitting and utility coordination, preferably railroad.
• Working knowledge of project and construction management practices.
• Familiarity with municipal permitting processes in large municipalities like Chicago and related departments.
• Knowledge of underground utility coordination, including conflict identification, relocations, and right-of-way permitting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Power BI).
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to coordinate with regulatory agencies, consultants and teams.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills related to pre-construction permitting and utility coordination.
• Excellent organizational and documentation skills for managing multiple permit processes.
• Ability to supervise staff and coordinate with consultants and contractors.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee permitting and underground utility coordination for capital construction projects.
• Minimize schedule risks by managing permit approvals and facilitating inter-agency coordination.
• Ensure projects meet permitting requirements and navigate regulatory processes in Chicago and surrounding communities.
• Act as liaison between utility companies, design teams, and staff; guide through permitting/coordination processes.
• Monitor third-party contracts, coordinate consultants, and track deliverables for alignment with design teams and compliance.
• Oversee permitting activities; review applications for accuracy; perform QA checks before submission.
• Standardize workflows and create repeatable tracking systems to expedite approvals and reduce schedule conflicts.
• Review procurement documents to include permitting/utility requirements in contracts.
• Coordinate day-to-day activities, assign tasks, train staff, and promote safe work practices.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Microsoft 365

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/architecture/construction management

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Power BI

Project

Job description

Salary Range

$80,986.00 - $121,479.00

Description

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

Clickhereto learn more about our benefits!

Qualified veterans who meet the minimum requirements will receive outreach during the recruitment process in accordance with Federal and State laws, including the Illinois Veterans Preference Act. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or job offer. The most qualified candidate will be selected.

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Metra's Capital Delivery Department oversees the design, construction and administration of Metra capital projects and manages the work of consultants and contractors implementing these projects. Capital projects overseen by this group include stations and parking as well as structural, civil, electrical, mechanical, traction power, and wayfinding and signs. The department also includes Project Management, NEPA, Project Controls, and Project Administration teams.

Reporting to the Director Capital Delivery Construction, the Permit and Utility Coordinator will plan, coordinate, and oversee all permitting and underground utility coordination activities for capital construction projects; minimize construction schedule risks by managing the permit approval process, identifying utility conflicts, and facilitating inter‑agency coordination; and ensure projects meet permitting requirements and efficiently navigate the complex regulatory processes of the city of Chicago and surrounding communities.

The primary duties include: act as liaison between utility companies, design teams, and staff; providing guidance throughout the permitting and utility coordination process; and to organize and combine resources to support capital construction goals. Monitor third‑party consultant contracts to support early permitting; coordinate the work of consultants and assess performance; and track deliverables to ensure alignment with design teams, contractors, and compliance with municipal regulations.

Oversee permitting and utility coordination activities; review applications for accuracy and completeness; perform quality assurance checks on applications prior to submission and provide guidance on requirements and submission expectations; and monitor permit progress, ensuring applications are submitted timely, escalating issues as needed. Standardize permitting and utility coordination workflows; create and maintain repeatable, high‑efficiency tracking systems to expedite agency approvals; identify process inefficiencies and implement operational improvements; and establish best practices to ensure consistent performance across all projects to prevent construction schedule conflicts.

Review procurement documents to ensure all necessary permitting and utility requirements are integrated into design and construction contracts to minimize project risks. Coordinate team's day‑to‑day activities, assign tasks/projects and monitor performance, and provide guidance and training, but is not a supervisor. Promote safe work practices and maintain and foster a safe work environment. Works under both inside and outside environmental conditions under prevailing conditions of heat, cold, rain, and snow. Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

Requirements

1. Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, or a related field OR in lieu of a degree, any combination of education and experience may be substituted that equals four (4) years in permitting and utility coordination or project administration.
2. Must possess a minimum of four (4) years of engineering, architectural or permitting and utility coordination experience, preferably in the railroad industry.
3. Working knowledge of project and construction management practices.
4. Working knowledge of municipal permitting processes of a large municipality such as Chicago along with its departments that oversee buildings, underground coordination, and water management.
5. Knowledge of underground utility coordination practices including utility conflict identification, relocation techniques, and right‑of‑way permitting practices.
6. Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Power BI).
7. Strong written and verbal communications and interpersonal skills to negotiate and coordinate effectively with regulatory agencies, consultants and project teams.
8. Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills related to pre‑construction permitting and utility coordination.
9. Strong organizational and documentation skills to manage multiple permit approval processes simultaneously.
10. Ability to manage complex permitting processes involving multiple public agencies.
11. Ability to supervise staff and coordinate the work of consultants and contractors.
12. Ability to develop and document processes and procedures and provide training to improve organizational permitting and utility coordination processes.
13. Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
14. Must be able to operate a vehicle.
15. Must be willing to travel within Metra's 6‑county region.
16. Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.

Preferred:

1. Supervisory experience.

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. For general assistance, please contact [e-mail]. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre‑employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Reasonable Accommodations Committee at [e-mail].

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.